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Gct'23, 1928.

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HARVEY EUBBELL, OF BRIDGEi OR-T, COHNECTICUT; LOUIE E. HUBBELL EXECUTE-IX OF HARVEY HUBBEJLL, DECEASED.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed March so, 1925.

This invention relates to call systems and particularly to what are known flash light signal systems although it is not necessarily limited to use with visible signals, which is the preferred use, but may also be employed with audible signals. This system is of the type disclosed in my prior application for patent for signal system, Serial No. 68 L539, filed January 5, 1924. in which normally open electric circuits run from a convenient central or control station to a number of different local stations whereby an operative at the central station may select any one of a plurality of prearranged signals and transmit it by means of said circuits to the local station or stations tor the purpose of signalling; the dilierent parties.

These systems are especially adapted to save time and trouble in factories, mercantile houses, etc.. which comprise a number of oili'erent and sometimes widely separated departments and it is frequently necessary to summon from a central station an oliicial or an employee stationed in one of the departments or happening to be in such department when his presence is desired in some other department. In establishments having a private telephone exchange the call system may be conv a operated by the switch hoard operator. "With tl is arrangement any one desiring another person may call the operator who in the event the party desired cannot be reached on his own telephone will send out the proper signal to all the departments through this signal system, and then the party required will call the s Fitch board operator from the nearest telephone who will inform him where and by whom he is desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of this character which will he more simple in construction than that disclosed in my prior application, but although o'r' simpler construction is capable of trans mitting a larger number of difierent signals.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a construction and arrangement of signal selecting; and operating devices 111 which the signal operating mechanism, which usually includes a motor, may be placed in Serial No. 19,295.

any desired location and at some distance from the selective device, if desired, so that any noise incident to the operation or" the motor or the make and break mechanism will not annoy the operator at the central station.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device ror performing these functions which will be quick and reliable in operation and not easily gotten out of order, in which any one of a large number of signals may be selected and transmitted quickly and surely with a minimum number of movements or operations required on the part of the operator, in which the signal selected will be automatically continued for any desired length of time, and in which a single movement on the part or the operator will return the device to its original position after the signal has been transmitted, so that it is in readiness for transmitting another signal if desired. 4

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar reference characters being employed throughout the various figures to indicate corresponding, elements. In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view of the system showing the electrical connections.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the selector and control unit with the enclosing casing removed, portions of various elements thereof being broken away to more clearly show the construction and arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the selector and control unit looking); from the right or :2, the enclosing casing being shown in section, and showing the control lever in the on position.

Fig. l is a front elevation of the selector and control unit.

ig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the mechanism at the forward end of the selector and control unit showing the control lever in the off position.

6 is a transverse section substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3 with the enclosing casing removed.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the [ill forward end of the control drum and through the dial, taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the control drum.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is a development of the control drum.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the signal operating or flashing unit.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation thereof looking toward the bottom of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail side elevation of one of the make and break devices.

Fig. 1 1 is an end elevation of the signal control or flasher unit looking from the left of Figs. 11 and 12, and

15 is a perspective view of a grouped set of the signals which may be employed at the local stations.

In my prior application above mentioned the signal selector and. operating device comprised a single unit which was located at the central station. In my present system the signal operating or flashing mechanism is located in a separate independent unit from the signal selecting and control unit. By this arrangement the signal selecting and control unitonly need be located at the central station. while the signal operating or flashing unit maybe located at any convenicnt location desired. There is thus less space required by this system at the central station and as the signal operating or flasher unit may be located any place desired it may be placed in a fault or any other suitable location where any noise incident to the operation of the motor or the make and brcalc mechanism will in, no way interfere with or annoy the operator.

The signal selecting and control unit which is located at the central station is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 10 inclusive and comprises a base 1 upon which the various elements of this unit are mounted. Secured to this base is a frame 2 of any suitable material, as cast metal, and preferably of general rectangular shape as shown. which carries the bearings for the various shafts and also carries the other elements of this unit. Extending longitudinally of the frame is a stationary shaft or rod 8 secured at its rear end in a bearing 4 (Fig. 2). Adjacent its forwvard end a sleeve 5 (Fig. 7) is mounted to turn on this shaft and also in a bearing 6 in the front end of the frame. This sleeve is provided with a laterally extendingflange or disc 7 which carries an annular dial 8 of any suitable material secured to the flange or disc 7 by suitable screws 9, and this dial about its inner periphery on its front face carries a scale including radial markings 10 which are numbered in sequence as shown in Fig. 4:. and these radial marks of the scale coact i ith a stationary mark 11 on a stationary disc 12 secured to the front end of the shaft 3 as shown in Fig. 7 This dial and disc are used to select the signals desired in a manner which will later be described. The sleeve 5 on the opposite side of the bearing 6 from the flange '7 carries a disc 13 to which the front end of a cylindrical drum 1 is secured, this disc being mounted to turn with the sleeve 5 by any suitable means as a lrey 15. A similar disc, not shown, supports the other end of this drum on the shaft 3 and rotates on this shaft as the drum is rotated by means of the dial 8 and the sleev 5 in the operation of the device will presently be described.

Above and to one side of the shaft 3 is another shaft 16 (Figs. 2 and 6) which carries a plurality of contact fingers and levers which cooperate with the drum 1 1 for controlling the functioning of the contact fingers. In the present device there are three sets of these fingers indicated at 17, 18 and 19 1) and the fingers of each set are electrically CO11 nected with each 0th f as indicated. although the fingers are spring fingers so that they are movable independently of each other. Each set of fingers is electrically insulated from the other sets of fingers. They are mounted on a support 20 mounted on the shaft 16 and are insulated therefrom and from each other by the insulating plates 21 (Figs. 2 and 6). The levers mentioned above are indicated at 22 (Figs. 2 and 6) and these levers are also mounted on the shaft 16 but between the fingers 17, 1S and 1S) and the drum 14 as shown in Fig. 6. there being one of these levers for each contact linger. These levers are loose on the shaft 16 but have a projecting lug 33 which may be engaged by shoulder on the support 20 so that under certain conditions this shoulder may en gage the lugs on the levers and raise and hold them out of contact with the drum 14. At their opposite ends each lever has an insulating block 25 which under certain conditions engages the under side of the corresponding contact finger and holds it elevated as indicated. in Fig. 6, and as will later be described. The levers also carry down ardly projecting pins or studs 26 on their under sides which may either engage the surface of the drum or may pass through openings in this drum to allow the levers to drop as shown in Fig. 6. These openings are O and 10) and a e arspri iinlicated at 527 r ranged in certain ord r to select the different signals dcs'. d as will later be described.

Mounted at one side of this drum 14 is an upright panel 28 of suitable insulating material such as bakelite. which panel in secured to the frame by suitable means such as screws 29. and on t .e inner wall of this panel are mounted a pluralitv of spaced upright bars having inwardly and downwardly turned upper ends 31 fori'ning stationary contacts which may be engaged by the contact fingers 17, 18 an 19, there being one of these loo bars 30 for each contact finger. The bars are secured to the panel by screws 32. On the opposite side of the panel are mounted a series of longitudinally extending bus bars 38 and it will he noted that in the present instance each bus bar is electrically connected to three of the bars 30 by means or the connections 84 at their opposite ends and at their centers, these connections passing through the panel. It will be apparent from Figs. 1, 2 and 3 that the bars 30 are arranged in three sets to correspond with the three sets 01" contact fingers 1T, 18 and 19, and that each bus bar 33 is electrically connected to the corresponding bar 30 of each set. Thus the upper bus bar 33 is connected to the bars 30 which correspond with the contact fingers 17 18 and 1 In the same way the second bar 33 is electrically connected with the bars 30 corresponding with the contact fingers 17 18 and 19 and so on through the entireseries. The bars 30* corresponding to the first contact fingers 17 18*, and 19' of each set are not connected to any of the bus bars 38 but are connected by leads 36 and 37 to the spring contacts 38, 89 and 40 respectively in the signal operating or flasher unit as shown in Fig. 1.

In the present system each local station comprises a set of six lamps 41 of dif erent colors, in. the present case white (i -f). green (G),ycllow (Y),blue (B),red andpink (P). although, of course, any other colors may be employed as desired, but each lamp should be a diilercnt color from each of the other lamps. The lamps are also numbered as indicated in Fig. 15 so that in case a party is color-blind the signals may be recognized from the numbering of the lamps. In other words the lamps are given diiierent means of identification and the preferred means of identification are the different colors for the lamps. or the numbering. or both. One side at each lamp connected to one side 42 of a circuit from any suit able source. of power and the. other side of each lamp is connected by a lead 43, 43 etc. to the corresponding bus bars 82- 33 etc, and through these bus bars to the stationary contacts 30 80 etc.. as shown in Fig. 1. The other side 44 leadingfrom the source of power is connected to a brush contact 45 in the flasher or make and break device. and this supply circuit is controlled by a switch 46. preferably a suitable type of snap switch. This switch is located in and comprises a part of the signal selector and control unit and is indicated in Figs. 2 and 5.

The selector and control unit also comprises means for manipulating the contact fingers 1? 18 and 19 and the switch 46. In the forward portion of the frame 2 is a transverse rod 47 upon which a control lever 48 is mounted, this lever being secured to the rod by any suitable means as a pin 49. Also secured to the rod is a crank 50 by any suitable means as a pin 51, and a cam 52 is secured to the rod by a pin 53. The sleeves 54 and 55 respectively of this crank and cam project beyond the ends .t the roc 4'? ant receive bearing studs 56 which are threaded in the sides of the frame, as s o "n in 6. By this arrange nent the ro l with the lever. crank and cam may turn together on these hearing studs. Similarly mounted slightly to the rear of the rod 47 is another rod 57 upon which is secured a cranl: arm 58 as by means of a pin 5S and a switch operating crank arm 60 is secured to the rod by a pin 61. Between the sleeves 62 and for these two elements is an arm 64 which is loosely mounted on thi rod and so may turn independently thereot. This arm carries a pin or stud 65 adjacent its free end, which stud is tapered or f-shaped at its upper enth as shown at to seat in notches 67 in the rim ot a circular plate or disc 68 (Figs. 5. 6 and 7) *arried by the treat end 13 oi the drum 14. this disc being; mounted on the drum by any suitable means. such as rivets The lower cnd of the pin or stud G5 is arranged to cooperate with a cam element 70 secured to the control lever 48 so that in certain positions of this ever the cam will lift the arm 64 and the pin 65 and hold its upper nd in a notch 7 to lock the drum against rotary movement.

The cam element 52 has an inclined cam surface 71 (Fig. 2) and straight surface 72 leading; therei ron'i which is in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of the rod 4'? on which the cam swings. and a roller 3 mounted on the lower end or an arm 74 runs on the surfaces to swing the arm and the black roclzcr support 20 on the shaft 16, which block or support carries the spring contact fingers it). 1'? and 18. A spr 75 secured to this support 20 one side of the trar and tends to swing this support in the oppos direction or countor-clockwise. as vie red in icj. 6, and retains the roller against the cam surfaces.

The crank member 50 5 is provided with a notch 76, one sioe which as hown at 77, is longer than the other side so that it projects above the curved suriac T8 preterahlv formed on the arc of a circle with the axis of the roe. 47 at its center. The crank arm carries a roller 79 which is so positioned as tr run on the curved surface 755 and may also as shown in Fig. 3, seat in the notch To. The arm 58 has a projection 80 beyond the roller 79 which will engage the sleeve as shown in Fig. and limit the movement of the arm 58 and also the control lever 48. The crank arm 60 is connected by link 81 to the switch arm 82 so that as the arm 58 and crank 60 the break unit comprises a base 83 upon which the elements of this unit are mounted. The spring contacts 38, 39 and 40 and the brush contact 25 mounted on a block 8% and are insulated theretrom and from each other by the insulation 85. The spring contacts 38, 39 and 4.0 are of the type illustrated in my prior application above mentioned. and specifically 'laimed in my application, Serial No. 19,204 filed March 30, 1925, which is a oivision the above mentioned application. As indicated they comprise a bar 86 rigidly attached to and insulated from the supporting block and to which the leads 35, 36 and 37 are connected by binding screws 87. At their opposite ends are a pair or leai springs 88 and 89 secured on the upper and lower side of the bar respectively by any suitable means, as rivets 90. Secured to the free end 01 the upper leaf spring is a contact plate or block 91, it being secured to the spring by a screw 92, and to give a more rigid connection and to prevent the contact turning about the screw it is preterably provided with a transverse groove in its upper surface into which the down turned end 98 ot the spring is seated. The lower leaf spring 89 engages the under Sl.( e oi? th' contact block 91., as shown in Fig. 12, and tends to lift this block against the action of the upper spring 88, this upper spring;- tendin g to force the block downwardly. They are so adjusted that when the contact 91 ()i'llQl'- wise unsupported the sprin 's neutralize each other with the contact substantially in the position shown in 12 and in dotted lines shown in Fig. 13. The Contact plates or blocks 91 are mounted in the paths o'l movement oi substantially L-shaped contacts 9-1, 95 and 96 which are mounted on a rotatable sleeve 9'? carried by the shaft 08, this sleeve bein insulated from the shaft by an insulating sleeve 90. As the contacts 91 run oil the contacts 9 1-, 95 and 90 under action of the upper sprin 88 their moven'ient is arrested by the lower springs which therefore form a spring bumper or yielding arresting means so that there is practically no noise. The shalt 98 is mounted in suitable bearings l00 carried by the frame and carries a worm gear 101 meshing with a worm 102 on a shaft- 108 operated bythe electric motor 101. As will be seen from 1 the motor is conne 'tcd across the line l-214l by the conductors 105 and 106 so that it is controlled by the switch at}. he brush contact 15 connected to the lead 1-; is a spring contac bearing c n1t1uuously on the ring); 10? carried by the sleeve so that this ring; has electrical connection with the contac andfitlv As I V eratinp; n mprisinn' the motor and the make an cal; QlClllGlliS is a separate and distinct u t from the sele tor and control unit, the leads 35, 36, 3'7, 41%. 104 and 105 connecting them are mounted in a cable, not shown, whicn passes through the openings 109 in the fixture 108 secured to the frame 2. The binding posts 110, 110 etc, for the leads ii-3 413 etc, for connecting these leads to the bus bars 33', etc, are mounted on an insulating block 111 (Fig. 3). For convenience in making connections binding posts 112 are mounted on the panel 28 to which the loads 1153 term a suitable source of power are connected. From these posts leads extend to the switch 46, back to the binding post 11% and from these posts the wires 104; and 44 lead to the motor and brush 415 in the make and break unit. The leads 35, 36 and 3'? are connected to the bars 30 through the binding post 115.

The operation is as follows: TV hen the system is not operating to transmit a signal the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 5, that is, the control lever l8 is swungbaokwardly under the base 1, the pin or stud is removed from the notches 6T leavng the drum let free to rotate, the arm 74: is swung to the right from the position shown in Fig. 6 under the action of spring so that the shoulder M on the support 20 en the lugs 23 on the levers 22 and holds these levers elevated with the pins or studs 26 out of engagement with the drum 1.4 and the insulating blocks 25 on the levers 22 will hold the contact fingers 17, 1S and 19 out of engagement with the stationary contact 30. The circuits through these contacts are thus all open. l urthermore, the roller 79 (F is resting on the Ci'llVQCl surface 78 so that the lever arm (30 swung to the right. as viewed in F 5, and the main control s itch 16 is open. Thus the motor and the make and break device operated thereby is station ary and not operating.

It the operator now wishes to flash a given signal at the local stations comprising; the colored and numbered. lamps 41, she rota 'es the dial 8 to bring the disired number its radial line 10 opposite the stationary mark 11. This will rotate the drain 1 1: to bring); the proper opening" or openings 27 in the drum under the pins or studs 26 on the proper lover or levers 22. She then pulls forwzn'dly on the control lever 18 swing-ring}; it to the left or clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, to the position shown in Fig); This n'iovenient oi the lever will. first lock the drum l t against movement by raising the pi n or stud 65 so that its w orl upper V-shaped end will seat in one of the notches 6? in the edv e "f the plate 68, as shown in (3. r his lo- .s "he drum in proper po- "ition. The upward movement of the pin is caused by the lower end of this pi riding up on the can'i 70. After the pin been rule 1 so that it is seated in one o'" notches 67 it retained therein by the su. ic 70, and as ii is suriaccis concentric with shaft 1:? any further ll'iOVGlllQl'lt of the lever Immediately will not affect the stud 65. after the drum 14 is locked as ]L1St described the roller 73 (Figs. 2 and 6) rides up on the llll inclined surface 71 (Fig. 2) and swings the arm 7% (Fig. 6) outwardly or clockwise as View in this figure. This swings the supporting block 29 on the shaft 16 in the same di rection and moves he shoulder upwardly. his allows the lovers to drop downwardly so that the lower end of the pins or studs :26 will rest on the surface of the drum let it no openings 2? are in alignment therewith and will t ieret'ore, hold the spring contact lingers 17, 18 and 19 elevated and out of contact with the stationary 0011 556 bar 6, these fingers being supported by the insulating blocks czrried by the levers. If however. an opening 2-? is in aligmnent with any of the pins or studs 26 this pin will pass through the opening as indicated in Fig. 6, and will allow the corresponding lever 22 to drop as shown. This wil remove the support from under the corresponding contact linger 1T, 18 or 19 and will allow this finger to engage the upper end of the corresponi'ling stationary contact 30 also indicated in Fig. 6. This will close the circuit to the correspondin; lamp all as will be apparent from Fig. 1. There are no levers under the contae" fingers 17*. 1S and 19 so that on every operation of the lever l8 these contact fingers 1T", 18 and 19* engage the corresponding stationary contacts 30*, connected to the loads 35. and 37 leading from the contacts 38, 39 and all) of the make and break device. This arrangement is preferred for structural and operative reasons but, of course, the leads 36 and 37 may be connected directly to sets of contact lingers 17, 1S and 19. After the roller 73 has swung the support 20 as just described this roller rides along the straight surtace 72 2) and retains the block 2 in this position with the selected contact lingers 1T. 18 or 19 engaging the stationary contacts 30.

Further movement of the lever l8 will :e the roller 79 3 and to run otl' curved. surface 78 and into the notch T6, h or side 77 of this notch one ing this rol er zinc. forcing it down into the notch to the position shown in Fig. 3. This will swing the lever arms 58 and 0 to the left or countcrclockwise. as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, and move them to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This movement will swing the switch arm 82 to the left trom the position shown in to the on poi'ii ,ion shown in Fig. 2 and will close the circuit from the source 01" current supply. The motor 104- will then immediately start to rotate and tl'irough the drive 101'102 will rotate the contacts 94, 95 and It will be apparent that as these con tacts rotate they will engage the contact blocks 91 of the spring contacts 38, 39 and 1-9 and will thus close the circuitthrough these contacts because they are in electrical connection with the lead l lthrough the brush and ring 10?. Thus a, 3' contact linger 17 18 and 19 which happens to be in contact with the stationary contact 39 *ill complete the circuit from the corresponding contact 38, 39 or L0 toits particular amp located at the local stations. It will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 1, 11 and 12 that there are two contacts 95 to engage the central contact 39 so that there will be two engagements with this member 39 for each revolution of the flasher ihalt't 98, while thereis only one contact 9land one Contact 96 to engage the contacts 40 and 38 respectively, so that the circuit is closed through these contacts only once or each revolution of the shaft 98. The contacts 95 are spaced from each other a third of a revolution or one hundred and twenty degrees while the contacts 94: and 96 are located on diametrically opposite sides oi? the shalt and the contact 96 is half way between the two contacts 95.

This arrangement is used to secure various combinations of lamp flashes to give various signals, and by this arrangement of contacts signals may be given which comprise one flash only of any given light for one revolution of the shaft 98. In other words the sig nal will be a continuous slow flashing of this one light. the flashes having equal time intervals between them. Or there may be three flashes of a. signal light for each rotation of the shaft 98 at equal intervals giving a rapid and continuous flash of the light three times as fast as the single flash first mentioned. ()1 further there may be two rapid flashes of the single light with an interval twice as long between them, or there may be a single flash of any one light combined with a double flash of another light for each revolution of the shat't 98. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, there are three ol. openings 2-? in the drum 14. The lirst set of openings is in the left third portion of the drum being shown in the space 19 these openings coacting with the levers for the forward or left set of contact lingers 19. The openings in the central portion 18 of the drum cooperate with the levers :22 under the contact fingers 18. while the right hand portion 1? ol the drum cooperates with the levers under the lingers 17. For example. supposing the operator wishes to flash the signal corresponding to No. 1. hirh may be determined "from any suitable chart. she the dial 8 with the line 1 opposite the stationary line 11. This will bring the opening 27 at the lower left hand corner of Fig. 10 on the horizontal line 1 under the pin 26 carried by the lever 22 under the linger 19 Now when the control lever 48 is drawn forwardly this lever will drop allowing thc. linger 19 to engage its stationary contact 30. All the other lingers except the fingers 17", 18 and 19 will be retained out of engagement with their stationary contact 30 as there are no other openings in the drum on the line 1 as will be apparent from an inllll lill) spection of Fig. 10. Therefore, as the make and break or flasher shaft 98 rotates the circuit will be closed through the white light (id once for each revolution of the shaft 98 ring 107, sleeve 9., contact 9%, spring contact all, lead 37 to the left hand or l'orward stationary contact 30, finger 19 linger 19 to the forward stationary contact 3(), bus bar $32-33, lea d 43 lamp (VJ) and back through the wire 43 to the switch so and out on the line. Ifnow "he dial. turned to bring line 2 opposite the mark 11 an opening 27 in the cen tral panel of the drum on the line 2 of Fig. will. be brought under the lever 22 under the contact finger 18. Then nipulation of the control lever 48 will allow this linger 18 to drop as there are no other openings on this line 2, the circuit to the lamp (w) will be closed twice for every revolution of the shaft 98 by means of contacts 95, and there will be a doul'il-e flash of the white light with a short interval between the single flashes and lon interval between the double flashes. If new the drum is turned to the third position with line 3 opposite the mark 11, the elongated opening 27 (Fig. 10) at the left lower end of the panel 19 and the opening 27 in the lower end of the panel 18 are on the line 3. Thus when, the control lever 48 is operated the contact fingers 19 and 18 will be allowed to drop to engage their stationary contacts 30. We will then have three flashes of the white light for each revolution of the shaft 98, one from the contact 94- and two from the contact 95. and there will be a rapid flashing of the white light with equal intervals between them. If new we turn the drum to bring line 4 in alignment with the mark 11 we will have the elongated opening 27 at the lower left hand corner of the panel l9 under the lever 22 of the linger 19 and we will have the opening 27 in the central panel 18 under the lever 22 for the finger 18. Thus when the lever 4:8 is operated there will be a single flasn of the white light and two flashes of the green light for each revolution of the shaft 98, the white light being flashed by the contact fi l and the green light by the contacts 95. The same system is carried throughout the entire drum giving a signal which may comprise any light or a combination of that light with any other light. If we move the drum to the position 9 (Fig. 10). that is, to bring the line 9 on the dial opposite the mark 11, it

ill be seen that the elongated opening 27 in the panel 19 at the lower end thereof is on the line 9 and there also an opening 27 in the panel. 17 on this line. Therefore, when the lever a8 is operated the contact fingers 19 and 17 will be allowed to drop to engage their corres iionding stationary contacts 30. here will thus be for each revolution of the shaft 98 one flash of the white light through he contact 24; and one flash of the green light through the contact 96, and these flashes will be equally spaced.

It is to be noted that for each setting of the selector and control device, and after the lever 48 is swung to the on position shown in Fig. 3, the signal selected will be flashed automatically and continuously, that is, will be continuousl repeated until the lever 48 is swung back to its original position shown in Fig. 5. As this lever is swung back the first operation is to swing the switch arm 82 to the off position whichstops the motor and disconnects the whole device from the source of power. The next operation is to swing the contact lingers 17, 18 and 19 which may have been allowed to drop upwardly away from engagement with the stationary contacts 30. This is caused by the roller 73 (Figs. 2 and 6) running down the incline T1 (i g. 2) and allow ng the spring 75 to swing the support 20 for these lingers couuten clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 6. It is to be noted that as the current is shut off from the contact fingers 17. 18 and 19 and the stationary contacts before these lingers are raised there is no arcing between these contacts so that they do not become corroded or injured. The next and last operation as the lever 48 swings backwardly to allow the pin or stud to move downwardly out of engagement with the disc 68 and unlock the drum 14 so that it may be set for any other signal. It is also to be noted that as the signal operating or make and break device is a separate unitfrom the selecting and control unit, this make and break unit with its motor may be placed in any position desired and is not necessarily lolea lllf;

cated at the central slation. It may, there fore, be placed in a vault or any other position where the noise of the motor or the noise of the make and break contacts will. annoy no one.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that by arranging the contacts as shown I can secure a large number of different signals witl a comparatively simple mechanism which occupies a very small space, and that any one of these large number of signals may be easily d quickly selected and transmitted to the local stations for any desired period by a simple manipulation of the dial 8 an d the arm 4-8. In the layout shown sixty different signals may be transmitted to 1 the local stations.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A signal ng system con'iprising a plural- 1'1.

"on arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device comprising a group llu Ill)

of stationary contacts including a contact for each circuit, a plurality of electrically .ted, independently movable fingers adapmd to engz e the stationary contacts, a

selective means for moving certain 01 d -d1 lingers into engagement with corresponding stationary contacts and retaining them in this position, a make and break device electrically connected with said lingers and operable independently th reof, and means for operating the make and break device.

2. A signaling system comprising a plurality electric circuits, a grouped set of sign l s having different means of identilic: ion arranged with a light in each circuit. a selective d vice having a group of stationv including a contact for each cirit, a plurality of electrically connected inpendcntly movable fingers adapted to enage the ationaiy contacts, a rotary drum, leans coa ting with the drum to allow cerfingers to engage the stationary and to hold the remaining fingers engagement with the contacts, a make and break device eleetri ally connected with the lingers, and means for operating the make and break device.

it signaling system comprising a plurality oi? electric circuits, :1 grouped set 01 ial lights having different means of identi'hcation arranged with a light in each circuit. a selective device comprising a group of stationary contacts including a contact for ach circuit, a plurality of: electrically connected. independently movable fingers adapted to the stationary contacts, a selective means for moving certain of said fingers into engagement with corresponding stationary contacts, a make anal break device electrivi connected vith said lingers, means for g the make and break device. and rolled by the selective dc e for i the id operz ting means.

s ialing tem compris of electric circuits, a ronped signal l'ghis having different neans oi identilicatioii arrangcdwith a 1i lit in each circuit. a sehhctive device having a group of stationary contacts including a contact for each circiiit, a plurality oi electrically connected independently movable lingers adapted to engage the stationary contacts, a retarv drum having a plurality of openings, a plurality of pivoted levers located between the fingers and the drum and provided with studs to engage the surface of the drum and select into the openings when they are in alignment with the studs, a pivoted rocker upon which the fingers are mounted, said rocker being provided with means to move the levers away "from the drum, a make brea device electrically connected. with the fin; means for operating the make and break device, and means for swinging said rocker to move the fingers toward and from the contacts.

5. A signaling system comprising a plurality of electric circuits, a. grouped set of signal lights having ditl'erent means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device comprising a unit adapted to be set to select for operation any one of said signals, a separate independent unit in eluding a make and break device electrically connected with the first unit for automatically and continuously operating the signal selected and means for operating said make and break device, and means in the first unit controlled by the selective device and electrically connected with the make and break 0 )erating means for controlling the same.

6. A signaling system comprising a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having different means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit,

a selective device comprising a unit adapted to be set to select for operation any one of said signals, a separate independent unit including a make and break device electrically connected with the first unit for operating the signal selected and an electric motor for operating said make and break device, a switch in the first unit electrically connected with the motor for controlling it, and means connected with the sclective device for operating the switch.

7. A signaling system comprising a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having difi'erent means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device comprising a unit adapted to be set to select for operation any one o1 said signals, a separate independent unit electrically connected with the first unit for automatically and continuously repeatingthe nal selected by said device, and means in the first unit controlled by said setting operation for controlling the operation of the second unit.

8. A signaling system comprising a pln rality of electric circuits. a gro signal lights having different means of identi fication arranged with a light in each circuit, selectiv crevice con'iprising unit adapted to be set to select for operation any one of said signals and also a combination of any signal with any other signal, a separate ind pen dent unitelectrically connected with the first unit for operating the signal or signals selected, and means in the first unit controlled by said setting operation for cont-rolling the operation of the second unit.

9. A signaling system comprising a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of" signal lights having differentmeans of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device comprising a rotary drum, contacts in said circuits, independently moved vet cl able contacts adapted to coact with the first contacts to control said circuit, means coopcrating with the drum for determining the positions oi. the movable conta.cts,a graduated dial connected to the front end of the drum for setting the same, means for operating said movable contacts including a pivoted lever mounted to swing in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of the drum, and means for operating the signal selected.

10. A signaling system comprising a plurali ty o't electric circuits, a grouped set of signal light-shaving different means of identiiication arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device comprising a rotary drum, a panel. at one side of the drum, a plurality of s at contacts carried by said panel, means for connecting each light to a contact in each set, a"plurality of sets of electrically connected independently movable contacts each adapted to engage a corresponding contact in the first mentioned sets of contacts, means coacting with the drum for controlling the eng ement of the movable contacts with the other contacts, a rotating element, a plurality of separate contacts carried by said element, electrical conducting means arranged to engage the latter contacts intermittently as the element is rotated, means for connecting the electrical. conducting meanswith-the sets of movable contacts, and means for operating the rotating element.

11. A signalingsystem comprising a'plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having different means of identilication arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device'comprising a rotary drain, a panel at one side of the drum, a plurality of sets of upright contacts carried by said panel, a plurality of horizontal bars each connected to a contact in each set, means for connecting'each lamp to one of said bars. a pl urality ot sets of electrically connected independently movable contacts each adapted to engage a corresponding upright contact, means enacting with the drum tor controlling the engagement of the movable contacts with the upright contacts, and a make and break device electrically connected with the sets of movable contacts.

12. in a signalin system, a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having diiterent means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts the munber ot contacts in each set being one greater than the number of lights, means tor connecting each light circuit to one of the contacts in each set, make and break contacts con nected to the remaining contacts of each set, a rotating element, contacts carried by said element to engage the make and break contacts as the element rotates, a plurality of sets ot movable contact fingers, there being a finger to engage each 01 the first mentioned contacts and the fingers of each set being electri ally connected, and selective means tor moving certain of said lingers into engagement. with the stationary contacts and to retain the others out of engagement therewith.

13. In a signaling system. a plurality of electric circuits. a grouped set of signal lights having different means of identification ar ranged with a light in each circuit, a pinrality ot stationary contacts in said circuits, a plurality of independently movable contact lingers adapted to engage the stationary contacts, a plurality of levers under thecontact lingers having downwardly projecting pins, a rotary drum having openings adapted to be brought into alignment with said pins, means for causing movement of the lingers and levers toward and from said contacts and drum respectively, a circuit make and break device connected with said fingers, and means tor operating the make and break device.

14. In a signaling system, a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having different means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a pair of sets of stationary contacts, there being a contact in each set in each circuit,.a pair of sets of independently movable contact fingers arranged to engage the stationary contacts the lingers in each set being electri ally connected, a selective means for controlling the engagement of the fingers with the stationary contacts. a pair of brush con tacts electrically connected respectively to the sets of contact fingers, a rotary element, contacts carried by said element arranged to engage one of the brush contacts and spaced about said element approximately sixty degrees, a third contact on said element adapted to engage the other brush contact and located approximately sixty I degrees from the other contacts on said element, and means tor rotating said element.

l5. In a signaling system, a plurality of electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having dittercnt means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, three sets of stationary contacts, each circuit being connected to a contact in each set, three sets of contact fingers independenly movable toward and from the stationary contacts, the lingers of each set being electrically connected, a selective device for controlling the engagement of the individual fingers with the stationary contacts, three brush contacts connected one to each set of fingers. a rotary element. a pair of contacts carried by said element arranged to engage one of the brush contacts, a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed contacts on said element arranged one to engage each of the other brush contacts respectively, said latter contacts being angutil) larly disposed on the rotary element intermediate the first pair of contacts, and means for rotating said element.

16. In a signaling system, a plurality of 5 electric circuits, a grouped set of signal lights having different means of identification arranged with a light in each circuit, a selective device arranged to select for operation any one of said circuits including a rotary 1 drum, means cooperating with the drum for selecting the circuit or circuits desired, a disc secured to the drum having notches in its periphery, a pivoted lever, a tapered pin carried by said lever arranged to seat in said notches, a control lever, a cam connected to the control lever for shifting said pin to lock the drum, a circuit make and break device connected to said circuits through said selective device, a motor for operating the make and break device, a switch for controlling the motor, a pivoted lever connected to the switch, a roller carried thereby, and a cam with a notch at one end connected to the operating lever which is enga ed by said roller whereby the lever is operated.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVEY HUBBELL. 

